Monday, March 14, 2011

Man Enough For Me - Blog Tour

About the Author

Rhonda Bowen is a writer and event planner living in Toronto. When not stressing over her job, she can be found at church stressing over the kids she teaches in youth class. She enjoys spending time with her family, trying on shoes she can’t afford, and enjoying life’s unexpected twists and turns.

Man Enough For Me is my first published novel. It was released February 22, 2011 from Kensington Books.

Which book did you find the hardest to birth?

I am finding my second novel harder to write. With the first novel, I had all the time in the world to lovingly craft it into what I wanted it to be. With the second novel, I am under the time constraints of a contract and have to be more disciplined and deliberate in meeting my own personal writing deadlines and those of my editor!

How would you describe your writing style?

I think my writing style is still evolving. Probably unlike most writers and most likely to the horror of my editor I never outline a story before I write it. In fact, I tried that once and the story never got finished. I usually mull an idea around in my head until I have a first chapter. Only then do I start writing, and from there, I let the story write itself.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?

I love listening to music while I write! I feel like the music sets my mood and helps me feel what I want my characters to feel in a particular scene. I listen to some 90s R&B but mostly gospel. Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin are favorites.

Tell us anything about you as a writer that you think might be interesting or unusual.

I’m an undercover writer. When I told my family and friends that I had a novel that was being published most of them went into shock. Very few people know how much I write. In fact outside of my immediate family and a few writer friends, not many people know.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

I feel like I’m still too new to be giving advice, but I do encourage aspiring writers to just write. Write everyday and write about things that interest you. Don’t worry too much about being published at first. Just make sure you’re having fun. I think when you are enjoying yourself writing, the sentiment will be transferred into your work.

Writers are often encouraged to write what they know. Have you found that to be the case with your writing?

It is definitely easier to write what you know and I think your story ends up being more credible when you do. I have read stories by other fiction writers where they write about the industry that I am a part of and I can tell almost immediately when they have no firsthand experience. I am not saying that you should never write about unfamiliar topics, but if you do you should definitely do your research and, if possible, have someone who knows look over your story for you.

About the Book

Twenty-something public relations gem Jules Jackson has everything in her life under control, and that’s exactly the way she likes it. She’s got no problem handling two jobs, her crazy friends, and her difficult mother. But she’s just about given up on men—until she meets fine Germaine Williams …

Straight-up catch Germaine is eager to prove his worth to Jules, and she falls hard. But it’s soon clear Germaine’s keeping at least one big secret. And the deeper Jules digs, the more her balancing act, and her romance, begins to crumble. Now Jules can either turn to her faith and open her heart to love—or risk getting it broken…

Man Enough for Me written by Rhonda Bowen is an awe inspiring book that shows that no matter what you do if you trust in God He will take care of you.

Jules Jackson has a good job, good friends, a burgeoning career that she loves but she hasn't met that one person she connects with who she could truly love. Jules is just a little jaded by the prospects of men out there. She constantly finds flaws with every man she meets and does not expect to give her heart away anytime soon.

Germaine Williams is an entrepreneur and a man of faith who also harbors a secret. When the two meet, sparks fly. You know that they are perfect together but wonder if they can trust each other enough to be the person that they need each other to be.

Rhonda Bowen is a talented writer and a great story teller. She showed all aspects of the Christian experience from those deeply rooted in their faith to those who are new to the faith.

I really enjoyed this book. Although it started out slow, it soon picked up the momentum as it makes you wonder what secret is Germaine hiding, how would Jules handle it all, could she, would she trust God in all aspects of her life. I was drawn into all the twists and turns of the relationships within this story. I found myself turning several pages ahead just to see what was coming up next.

This was a very good book and I can’t wait for Rhonda Bowen's next one.

I am inspired by you and it's refreshing to know your novel is a romance story without the crude and immoral aspects. I've been turned off from reading romance novels as I didn't want to read about topics that strayed from my own Christian morals.

Affiliate Programs

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links on the blog are “affiliate links.” If you click on the link and purchase the item; I will receive an affiliate commission.

Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally or believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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My Review Policy

My aim for Rhonda Recommends is to promote Christian, and inspirational fiction (with a Christian-worldview) written by African-American authors. I accept books for review from publishers, authors and publicists. I will review a self-published book at my discretion, but largely my reviews are for books released by traditional publishing houses.

My reviews will reflect my personal opinion of the story . I will write with honesty and respect but do not guarantee all my comments will be of a positive nature.

Be assured I do not: receive any income from my blog, from either authors, publishers or their publicists.

I no longer accept promotional book ads on my blog. I do notsell any ARCs, galley or final copies. I do receive ARCs, galley copies and/or final copies of the majority of the books I review, from the author, publisher or publicist. I do review books that I purchase for pleasure.